“I could still box your ears.”“Nonsense,” he scoffed. “You couldn’t reach that high.”

“Prettiness fades after a few years, but elegance only increases with age.”

“Do you think ladies’ eyebrows can communicate as well?” she asked.“No, they don’t have sufficient thicketry,” he said with authority.“Thicketry?”“Yes, that is the official term.”

“I was shy,” said six-foot-one of bashful male. He grunted as a sharp, feminine elbow thudded inconspicuously into his side.”

“Lord Carradice managed to look wicked, smug, and saintly, all at the same time.”

“I could still box your ears.”“Nonsense,” he scoffed. “You couldn’t reach that high.”

“Well, go on then, Abby; run along and let the nice man compromise you.”

“They’d be complaining about having to walk, and screeching at me to ‘do something, Freddy, do something!’”“But what could you do?” she said, puzzled.“Carry them, probably.” He gave her a hopeful look. “Do you want me to carry you?”

“What the dev— er, deuce did you do that for? It hurt!”“Good,” said the angel. “I was afraid these new shoes would not be sturdy enough.”

“Yes. And when a rake finally falls, he falls forever.”

“If you were mine, I'd never leave you, Prudence. I couldn't.”